As India moves towards digitalisation slowly but surely, it is important that internet penetration occurs in every nook and corner of the country. This is the only way the country can ensure inclusive growth and development.
Internet is a basic necessity in today’s digital age. It is in fact recognized as Fundamental Right in many countries across the world. While India does not recognize it as a Fundamental Right, it records the fastest rate of internet penetration and most number of smartphone users in the world. This has been achievable because of the extremely low rates of smartphones as well as data in the country. In fact, India provides the cheapest internet in the world.
Meeting another milestone in digitalisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first-ever undersea optical fibre cable project for Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The project will provide high-speed broadband connections in the remote islands at par with services in the mainland.
The foundation for 2,312-km Chennai-Andaman and Nicobar Islands (CANI) connecting submarine optical fibre cable project was laid earlier on December 30, 2018. The project will provide internet connectivity to islands including Swaraj Dweep (Havlock), Long Island, Rangat, Little Andaman, Kamorta, Car Nicobar and Greater Nicobar, besides Port Blair.
According to official data, internet with a speed of 400 gigabytes (Gb) per second will be provided at Port Blair and for other islands, it will be 200 Gb per second. The project has been completed before time, as claimed by the PM at the inauguration. The work of laying undersea cable has been executed by BSNL in a record time of fewer than 24 months. This project will give a boost to 4G mobile services and digital services like tele-education, telehealth, e-governance services and tourism on the islands
Benefits of the Optical Fibre Link in the Islands
1. The optical fibre link will allow all the telecom operators in the country to provide their mobile and broadband services in the Union Territory. This will further promote Ease of Living for the island dwellers.
2. Internet availability will also promote the tourism sector which will improve the economic conditions of the islands.
3. The standard of living of island dwellers will be improved as with the access to the internet, they will be able to acquire skills and education and in return, share their indigenous knowledge regarding biodiversity and living in harmony with nature.
4. Internet access will also improve the banking habits of the island dwellers which will contribute significantly to the country’s economy
5. Most importantly, with the rising presence of China in the Indian Ocean Region, internet access in the islands will improve the connectivity with mainland Indian and ease the vigilance over the area, thus providing the country with a strategic benefit.
